Costa Rica Permanent Residency: Adios Mad Border Dash…Hello New Immigration Legislation

Many foreigners that live full-time in Costa Rica take part in a reluctant ritual every three months: the dash for the border. Dropping everything, they hop buses and planes out of the country for at least 72 hours in order to re-enter the country with a "clean slate." Each time these de-facto residents enter Costa Rica, they are granted a 90-day tourist visa, and the cycle begins again.

Why don't they just apply for permanent residency? The process is costly, complicated and endlessly aggravating. However, a change may be in the works, which would simplify the process and allow immigrants and expats to forgo the border dash. After a painstaking review, President Oscar Arias has submitted a reform proposal that would, among other things, modify Costa Rica Immigration law to make applying for residency less expensive and easier overall.

The bill, submitted to the legislative assembly at the beginning of the month, would allow foreigners to apply for residency while in Costa Rica (to date, the law requires residency applicants to return to their home countries and apply at the nearest Costa Rican consulate).

In addition, the immigration reform would, for the first time, allow for residency renewals at Banco de Costa Rica (Bank of Costa Rica) branches all over the country, rather than the central immigration office in San José. A $25 annual fee would go to social services, according to immigration officials.

The only downside here may be for the guys who make their living holding spots in line at the central immigration office. Typically, foreigners wait for hours and hours here to make an appointment, and then come back and wait hours more to renew their residency. If this new legislation passes, the wait here is bound to decrease, hence leaving the "spot-holders" without work.

President Arias and Immigration Director Mario Zamora have repeatedly emphasized the importance of the bill, which now awaits approval in the Legislative Assembly. An agreement between various parties including the President's Partido de Liberación Nacional (National Liberation Party, or PLN) seeks to put the reform on a fast track to a vote.

Your Latin America Insider,

Suzan Haskins
for International Living

P.S. If you've been reading our previous Costa Rica First Alerts, you know this year we're planning a highly informative seminar. It's called Live & Prosper in Costa Rica and the dates are officially set for November 5-7. If you're even considering a move to Costa Rica, you don't want to miss this opportunity…all our experts and expats on-the-ground will be there to answer your every question and tell you what living in Costa Rica is really like-the good and the bad. Read all about it here.